A group calling itself Ghanaians Against Bad Governance (GABG) yesterday held a protest at the country’s embassy in Washington DC, USA. The group was protesting what it described as issues affecting Ghanaians and causing hardship for them. Key among these issues they said, were corruption in government, a rapidly declining currency and the attendant rising cost of living and a general slackness on the part of the president to monitor his appointees.

The protestors started converging at the embassy around 09.00 local time and after an opening prayer proceeded to chant songs and display placards expressing their concerns. Some of the placards read “Landcruisers not answer to bad roads” “Ghana Must Work Again”, “Stealing From Your People Is A Shame” etc.

Addressing the gathering, Kwaku Boateng, the convener of the protest read a list of concerns they wanted the president to pay attention to. He thanked them for making time on a busy working day to be present and called on them to be resolute and follow the protest through till results are achieved. “Everyone in Ghana knows that we are suffering as a nation, and all we are asking for is accountable governance”, he said.

Other speakers included Charles Acolatse, who is also the legal co-ordinator for the group. He said the protest is historic and a good precedent for demanding accountability from government from overseas. “A group of non-partisan folks have come together to demand accountability from our leaders”.

At 12.30 local time, 3 representatives – Convener Kwaku Boateng, Legal Co-ordinator Charles Acolatse and a female member of the group, Sally Sarpong – were admitted into the embassy to present their petition. Acting Ambassador and Charge D’Affair Ama Twum Amoah received the petition on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama. She thanked the protestors and assured them that their concerns will be passed on to the appropriate authority. She also asked them to keep in touch with the embassy to work together for the good of all Ghanaians especially those in the USA. “We are all partners in the development of our country so please take up the offer and challenge us and see what we can do”, she told the representatives.

Speaking to our correspondent after the submission of the petition, Kwaku Boateng explained that the group is a non-partisan gathering of Ghanaians living in the US who are concerned with issues back in Ghana. He said they decided to come together to offer a wakeup call to government after witnessing a series of embarrassing situations among them, the way the country’s FIFA World Cup campaign was conducted. He stressed that the group is not calling for regime change nor seeking to embarrass the government but is rather carrying out its civic responsibility of speaking up for government to act.

Click To Watch The Presentation Of The Petition To The Ag. Ambassador. (More Videos Coming)